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Mishicot teacher to ride 200 miles for cancer research

Julia Van Susteren, HTR Media
Published 7:57 p.m. CT July 23, 2015

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Roger Booth, 42, a third-grade teacher at O.H. Schultz Elementary in Mishicot, will attempt a 200-mile bike ride from his home in Two Rivers to his family’s home in Stanley, Wisconsin, to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.(Photo: Submitted by Roger Booth)

Roger Booth, 42, a third-grade teacher at O.H. Schultz Elementary in Mishicot, will attempt a 200-mile bike ride from his home in Two Rivers to his family’s home in Stanley to raise awareness and funding for cancer research.

Booth has previously participated in the MS150, raising awareness for multiple sclerosis, has participated twice in the Door County Century Ride, and has been training since May for his self-directed double-century ride.

Like many people, Booth has seen cancer hurt too many people in his life, and carries a personal vendetta against the disease.

“I lost my father at 40, my sister at 36, my mom has had two bouts of cancer, but is thankfully alive,” Booth said. “I lost my grandfather to throat cancer and my grandmother to breast cancer. Four families in our third-grade classes are affected by cancer. A parent of one of my students has breast cancer, another had brain cancer and another had a form of leukemia. And the husband of one of our aides was diagnosed with cancer at the end of this year.

“I’m just sick to my stomach over this stuff, I just hate it,” Booth added. “It’s a terrible disease, and I’m not a scientist, but if I can raise money, I’ll do whatever I can to help. I just want to do my part to get rid of this thing, because I’m tired of it.”

Roger Booth, 42, has been training since May for his double-century ride.(Photo: Photo courtesy of Roger Booth)

Biking to and from Mishicot from his home in Two Rivers, and taking 50-mile rides each week, Booth feels he’s prepared to take on the physical challenge of the ride. Unfortunately, Booth hasn’t been as successful in raising money for his cause.

“I’m up to only about $700 right now, which is kind of depressing,” said Booth. “I’ve been sharing on social media, I’ve made a page on Facebook, and even shared it on Twitter, just to get it out there.”

By August, Booth hopes more people will support his cause, or even volunteer to join him on the ride.